Lin Qing boarded a skyship and set out for Konoha.
Previously, in order to train in Ripple, he had briefly gained the privilege of freely entering and leaving Mount Myoboku. But as time passed, Lin Qing's summoning connection with Mount Myoboku had grown increasingly faint.
This time, he was going to Konoha to have Jiraiya "renew his subscription."
Accompanying him were not only Hayato Kamihara, who also needed to deal with intelligence matters, but also Zabuza and a group of government workers from the Land of Water who had just been selected through the "National Civil Service Examination."
The selection process Oda Ieyasu had been preparing ever since joining Lin Qing's team was finally beginning to bear fruit, supplying personnel to every corner of the Ninja World.
Before departure, Oda Ieyasu said to Lin Qing:
"They've never done management work before, and there are countless things they need to learn. Once they take office, they'll probably cause quite a few problems. But, just as you said—"
"They're going to serve the people, right?"
Lin Qing turned to look at the people in matching uniforms, badges pinned to their chests. Their eyes shone with a light called hope.
"I hope the fire in their eyes never goes out."
Oda Ieyasu's laughter came through the other end of the receiver. He reached out and rubbed the head of his son sitting beside him as he said:
"Some will let it die, but others will rekindle it. The human heart is ever-changing.
"Lin Qing, not everyone can charge ahead as relentlessly as you do.
"But as long as you remain standing there, this flame will keep burning without end."
"Then..."
Lin Qing fell silent for a moment, but in the end, he did not say the rest.
What he wanted to say was: